whisper, whisper to me, put water on my lips, my arms rest off the side, stroke my hair, my stomach on the hard wood, a kiss on the cheek, a bit of kindness, a story of new lessons, give that to me, know which direction we are heading, with the small flashlight at the bow, flinch it every half an hour to keep the batteries functioning, wind it up if anyone gets a second wind, without coffee, with coffee, bobbing up and down, stroke my hair again, gently, whisper an L, whisper a synth, a simple, take my side, the water is cool, the cave is dark, the flashlight will work, I crank, I crank